SETHiopia is a blog created by me, Seth, who spent some time in Ethiopia.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

A Focus on Watersheds – Part 1: A Nationwide Movement and a Community Investment

The Community of Durayte in Gersale Watershed begin constructing a fence to expand their watershed restoration efforts

Around the country, farmers are focusing on their local
watersheds in an effort to promote sustainable land management. As the vast majority of Ethiopian farmers
depend on rain fed agriculture, their work efforts within their watersheds are
crucial towards reducing soil and water loss and the overall productivity and
health of their local environment.

In Konso, several areas previously subjected to a
combination of overgrazing livestock, erosion, and heavy rains followed by
months of hot and dry weather were selected as watersheds needing restoration. After these areas were chosen, both physical
and social boundaries were instated to ensure goats, sheep, and cattle would
not enter and destroy the vegetation meant to hold the top soil in place and
allow rain water to penetrate deeper into the earth.

During the past month I have been observing the restoration
process and working beside my neighbors to construct structures of soil and
stone that will reduce the effects of erosion and provide a space where trees
and grasses can be grown. The future products
of the trees and grasses within this watershed will be harvested by the
community and sold at the market.The
majority of these proceeds will be support schools, hospitals, and other social
services.

The watershed we were working in first received attention 10
years ago.Each year since then, the
surrounding communities have increased their efforts and have expanded the
watershed boundaries to include more and more land.The effectiveness of their work has been
steady and profound.

Below are a few photos taken from this year's first watershed work event within the Gersale Watershed where the branches of many thorny shrubs and trees were
cut to create a boundary to prevent grazing livestock form entering. The next step in the restoration process is to construct stone bands, soil bands, terraces, and micro-basins - more on that to come.

Gathering thorny branches from nearby trees and shrubs to create a fence

Simple but effective brush fence to keep grazing animals out

The current southern boarder of the Gersale Watershed Project

The effects that watershed restoration can have in just 3 years.

These photos were taken in an earlier project site within the Gersale Watershed

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About Me

I was a Peace Corps Masters International student from the University of Washington (Seattle). As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I served 3 1/2 years in Ethiopia. All and everything posted does not reflect the attitudes, beliefs, dreams, philosophies, etc. of the United State's government, the United States Peace Corps, or any other organization. I represent solely myself.